Posts Tagged "pediatric"

Halloween can be a scary time of year. There’s lots of spooky costumes and decorations that can give us all the chills. Not to mention the famous question, “Trick or Treat?” Most people opt for the delicious treats and often have a huge stash of candy that lasts beyond the holiday. But, what you may not have been aware of is the scary effects of all the treats being passed out that can impact your teeth! Normal bacteria in the mouth thrive off of the sugar within Halloween candy and in turn produce acid that cause tooth decay. Not to worry though, it’s okay to indulge in a little Halloween candy but make sure you know these tips and tricks to help you and your family keep your pearly whites healthy. With your leftover candy, we’d love for you to come participate in our 11th Annual Candy Drivefrom November 1st to 8th at the Wellesley Dental Group (5 Seaward Road, Wellesley). We are gathering our communities together to collect thousands of pounds of candy, a ton of thoughtful messages, and oral hygiene kits, which will be sent to the U.S. troops as a thanks for all that they do to keep us safe. Check out our flyer here. We will be hosting a community and press event on the November 9th, from 10 am to 11 am, also at our office in Wellesley where a cash prize will be given to the PTO of the school that contributes the highest amount of candy. If you have questions or queries about how you can join hands with us for this great cause, or to RSVP for the community event, send us an email at candydrive@wellesleydentalgroup.com, or call us at 781-237-9071.

“My child’s baby teeth are going to fall out eventually anyway, so what’s the point in taking care of them?” This is a common question that many parents face. Baby teeth are necessary for a variety of reasons, including guiding permanent teeth into their proper positions. You also want to make sure that they remain healthy in order to prevent your child from developing a systemic infection, an abscess, or from experiencing pain. As soon as your child’s baby teeth appear, make sure that you are brushing them and scheduling regular dental visits. As they become older, make learning how to brush fun through singing songs, brushing alongside your child, or even using toothbrushes and cool flavors of toothpaste that they pick out themselves.

Did you know that enamel, the hardest substance in your body, can be weakened over time by eating certain fruits? The FDA lists the 13 most acidic fruits and their pH ranges as:

Lemon Juice (2.00 – 2.60)

Limes (2.00 – 2.80)

Cranberry Juice (2.30 – 2.52)

Blue Plums (2.80 – 3.40)

Grapes (2.90 – 3.82)

Pomegranates (2.93 – 3.20)

Grapefruits (3.00 – 3.75)

Blueberries (3.12 – 3.33)

Pineapples (3.20 – 4.00)

Apples (3.33 – 4.00)

Peaches (3.30 – 4.05)

Mangos (3.40 – 4.80)

Oranges (3.69 – 4.34)

If you are experiencing sensitivity, you may want to cut out acidic fruits listed above from your diet as much as possible. You can also use a special toothpaste to decrease sensitivity. Instead of eating these acidic fruits, you can opt for eating less acidic fruits like cantaloupe (6.13-6.58) which have less of an enamel-weakening effect while providing optimal vitamin C levels. Honeydew melons, bananas, and watermelon are also great options. Protecting your enamel from acidic fruits will also lessen your risk of cavities, and help you achieve the perfect smile!

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and their newest addition to the team, Dr. Zarah Ali, if you have any thoughts or concerns. Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist Dr. Van. Dr. Emad is happy to help with your orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other periodontal or oral surgery needs, Dr. Ghazi would be more than willing to help.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, happens when salivary glands in your mouth do not produce enough saliva. If you have dry mouth, you may constantly feel the need to drink water- only to find that you still have a ‘dry feeling’ afterwards. Having a dry mouth may result in bad breath, a dry tongue, difficulty swallowing, and a general unpleasant feeling.

Causes of dry mouth:

Medications

Side effects of several medications, including over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers, may include dry mouth.

Tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol use

Reducing tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol use is not only beneficial for your overall health, but also will reduce dry mouth.

Certain health conditions

Diabetes, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease can all contribute to feelings of dry mouth.

Aging

Saliva production decreases as one ages, which results in dry mouth.

How to fix it?

Use over-the-counter mouthwashes for dry mouth, which contain the active ingredient xylitol.

You may also contact your primary care provider to see which medications you are taking could be contributing to a dry mouth symptom.

Your doctor or dentist may prescribe medication to stimulate saliva production and reduce the symptoms of dry mouth.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and their newest addition to the team, Dr. Zarah Ali, if you have any thoughts or concerns. Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist Dr. Van. Dr. Emad is happy to help with your orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other periodontal or oral surgery needs, Dr. Ghazi would be more than willing to help.

It is easy to be overwhelmed at the convenience store, where the stacks of toothpaste in the aisles leave you wondering if you are really using the right type of toothpaste for your needs. You finally decide on a toothpaste tube, only to go home and question whether you are using the right amount. Follow the tips below to end your worries!

Prevent tooth decay: opt for a toothpaste which contains sodium fluoride as an active ingredient.

Fluoride aids in the enamel remineralization process caused by tooth decay. By using a toothpaste which contains fluoride, you are preventing tooth decay!

Prevent sensitivity: opt for a toothpaste which contains potassium nitrate.

Potassium nitrate soothes pain caused by dentin exposure. In addition to using desensitizing toothpaste, make sure that you are not brushing aggresively as this habit wears down your enamel and eventually causes dentin exposure.

Whiten your teeth: often contains a mild abrasive.

Although whitening toothpastes are effective in removing surface stains, if you are experiencing sensitivity you may want to avoid daily use of a whitening toothpaste. However, whitening toothpastes may still be a good option, cost-effective option if you want to keep your teeth bright.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and their newest addition to the team, Dr. Zarah Ali, if you have any thoughts or concerns. Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist Dr. Van. Dr. Emad is happy to help with your orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other periodontal or oral surgery needs, Dr. Ghazi would be more than willing to help.

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About Us

Dr. Ejaz and Dr. Femina Ali have a strong desire to provide the very best that dentistry has to offer, and have a combined 40 years of clinical experience to meet that commitment! Graduates of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Drs. Ali and Ali have become recognized leaders in cosmetic, implant, and restorative dentistry. In order to remain on the leading edge of dental technologies and techniques, their personal commitment includes hundreds of hours each year in advanced dental training. Drs. Ali and Ali consistently stay up to date on the most current techniques including procedures in restorative, TMJ, sedation, implant and laser dentistry.